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St.
Columb’s
Cathedral
Built in 1633, St. Columb’s Cathedral is the oldest
building in Londonderry and the
second most popular tourist destination in Northern Ireland.
The Mother Church of the Diocese of Derry and the Parish
Church of Templemore, St. Columb’s promotes tolerance
and communication between the Catholic and Protestant
communities through
activities including its Two Cathedrals festival and
carol services.
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St. Patrick’s Church Jordanstown
St. Patrick’s, the Church of Ireland parish church
in Jordanstown, Newtownabbey, opens its recently renovated
Halls complex to a number of parish-based groups, as
well as to others from
both traditions, many of which are seeking to broaden
the Christian message.
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Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers Regimental
Museum
On the banks of the River Erne, in the keep of Enniskillen
Castle, this museum’s artifacts and archives commemorate
the men of Enniskillen who, in 1688, took up arms against
James II. The following year, they were incorporated
into the army of William III and in 1690 fought in the
decisive Battle of the Boyne.
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The Royal School
The school’s Royal Charter, issued in 1614 by King
James, declares “that there shall be one Free
School at least appointed in every County, for the education
of youth in learning and religion.” Today in Dungannon,
the school is proudly non-denominational and continues
to uphold the highest academic standards.
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Ulster People’s College
Women add valuable dimension to making peace and rebuilding
society, says Dr. Johnston Price, Director.
He points to the Northern Ireland Women’s Coalition,
the only female signatories to the Good Friday Agreement.
“
They said ‘rather than focus on the importance
of seeing yourself as Unionist or Nationalist, focus
on being inclusive.’”
It’s a voice that had been missing from the political
process and one “that’s broader even than
equality. It’s seeing that everybody’s valued
and treated with respect,” he says.
In keeping with that philosophy, the college offers empowerment
programs for women, along with
general coursework that explores paths to overcoming
social and economic disadvantage as
well as political and cultural divisions.
“ At the military level, the peace has largely
been won, but in terms of actually digesting the peace
and committing
to it, there’s still a lot of work to be done there,” Price
says.
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Family Care Society
Kathy’s ability to learn was considered limited.
There wasn’t much hope that she’d someday
live independently, either. Her parents didn’t
feel
up to the challenge, so they put her up for adoption.
On the other side of the door was a large,
loving family that accepts Kathy, supports her, and encourages
her.
Chief Officer Rosemary Hurl is “inspired by
the fact that her adoptive family help her maintain contact
with her family of birth, and have never been condemning
of their decision.”
It’s a non-judgmental philosophy, which the society
promotes.
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Altnaveigh House
Altnaveigh House seeks to re-establish the vitality of
the Protestant community of Greater Newry and Mourne,
and in a spirit of peace and reconciliation, it also
seeks to establish meaningful contact with its neighbors
from the Catholic tradition.
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Derry Inner City Trust
Derry was especially hard hit during the Troubles, but
imagination lifted it
from the rubble. It led the city to envision and rebuild,
and to recognize that its
history was forged by the Catholic and Protestant traditions
alike.
As for its future, the Derry Inner City Trust is imagining
what a sustained investment in education can mean.
“ It is absolutely necessary if people are
going to have any kind of enlightenment,” says Paddy Doherty,
chief executive officer.
It is said that modern Ireland is made up of four provinces.
And yet, the Irish word
for province is cóiced, which means fifth. Given
the political, sectarian, and cultural
clashes that have characterized the North of Ireland,
many consider that fifth
province to be the imagination.
“
In the imagination, we’re free. You can create
whatever you like,” Doherty says. “Peace
is a very tender plant, and the tiny sprouts that we’ve
seen over
the years can very easily be crushed. So we’re
helping people who are trying to
bridge the gap, to create middle ground where positive
things can happen.” - Paddy
Doherty, Chief Executive Officer
Along with recent projects like the renovation of the
Tower Museum and construction of a 47-unit residence
and counseling center for young people in dire circumstances,
the Trust partners with The Nerve Centre, whose Creative
Learning Centre cultivates the talent and imagination
of schoolchildren.
Jennifer Gormley, the head of education at the Creative
Learning Centre, notes the program’s impact on
children, especially those who are disadvantaged.
“This is the only environment I’ve
seen that absolutely inspires them.”
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West Belfast Partnership
A realistic grasp of the past inspires an idealistic
plan for the future. Certainly, the Troubles
took its toll on West Belfast, but the West Belfast Partnership
looks squarely ahead, believes in positive change, and
does something to make it happen.
Casting a wide net, the partnership involves elected
officials, community and government
agencies, and the private sector in devising strategy
for the regeneration of the area. Then, it actively pursues
implementation. In short, the goal is to create opportunity
so that
individuals and the community can develop, flourish,
and contribute to the vitality of the city — and
benefit equitably from the city’s growth.
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Mater Hospital
Mater Hospital administrators believe that art creates
an environment that is healthy for both patients and
staff. Under the direction of artist Eleanor Wheeler,
day hospital psychiatric patients
fashioned mosaics that add dimension and beauty to the
building.
In addition, the project enhanced their recovery process.
As one participant put it, producing this artwork helped
him “feel more relaxed and communicate
in a natural, non-restricted way.”
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Omagh Community House
On the site of the Omagh bomb, which in August 1998 took
the lives of 29 people, now stands the Omagh Community
House, a one-of-a-kind building whose sole purpose
is to
bring people together. Its presence honors the determination
to move forward, the importance of personal reflection
that leads to a place of light and hope.
The house offers an appealing combination of low rent
and state-of-the art facilities to
more than 12 community and volunteer organizations. Sharing
the space makes inter-project
communications flow smoothly, and sharing resources results
in cost savings all around.
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Lenadoon (Glen
Road Parent and Youth Support Group)
In a sense, Lenadoon is a positive reaction.
In another, it’s positive action, pure and simple.
In West Belfast, the air of the Troubles lingers. Too
many young people struggle with drug and alcohol abuse,
get caught up in street crimes, drop out of school and
into a life of hardship and despair. It’s the legacy
of a larger conflict, and a challenge that only the young
can meet.
Of course, some visionary adults play a part. Instead
of taking a confrontational approach to these problems,
community leaders “really started listening
to young people, their needs and their wants, their wishes
and aspirations,” says youth coordinator Arthur
Carlson. An organization emerged, establishing youth
activities that have come to be a vital educational and
social support system for the neighborhood.
Results can be measured one young person at a time.
Carlson has in mind a 14-year-old who was in conflict
with virtually everyone. She was assigned a “key
worker,” a dedicated staff member who counseled
and directed her, and now, two years later, this young
woman is a volunteer leader here, she’s involved
in an environmental education program in her neighborhood,
and she sits on an advisory panel of the Youth Council
for Northern Ireland.
“If I work hard, I'm going to get good things out of it.” —
Karen, 13
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Reading is Fundamental
The joy of reading is fundamental.
It stirs imagination and unfolds possibilities. And of
course, it strengthens academic performance.
This organization, then, seeks to motivate young readers.
It involves their families and, by providing books to
children, weaves reading into their day, as well as into
their future.
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